 The pristine Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina are home to several rivers and streams. Flowing rapidly over rocks and cliffs, many of these crystal clear mountain brooks plunge over rock faces creating spectacular natural displays.
No matter the size, the unique and charming
waterfalls of the High Country are the best kept secrets of locals and visitors
lucky enough to hear about their special hideaways.
Spruce Pine North Carolina is located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway in beautiful Mitchell County NC. Adjacent to Clay County, Avery County, and nearby to the "Land of the Waterfalls" of Brevard and
Transylvania County, Spruce Pine is surrounded by Waterfalls in Western NC and famous spots like Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls. Learn more about a few of the waterfalls nearby to Spruce Pine NC.
Clay County
Bull Cove Creek Falls & High Falls (Beech Creek)
The Beech Creek Trail is well marked, but the beginning is steep before hikers reach the crest that overlooks Beech Creek. Taking a log across Beech Creek, hikers will then find the trail
crossing an old logging road. Where the roads connect, you should bear left and hike about another 1/2 mile to Bull Cove Creek. At Bull Cove Creek take the trail to the right and you will hike up to the falls. Bull Cove Falls is a beautiful 40 foot high waterfall that is segmented into two levels. This Clay County, Waterfall in Western NC is well worth the long drive from Spruce Pine and definitely a wonderful NC Waterfall to see and photograph. If you are thinking of traveling to High Falls, this area is a nice place to stop
and rest as the hike to High Falls is quite strenuous.
To reach High Falls, hike back down to the main trail and take a right. The hike to High Falls is long,
a 1.5 mile grueling, uphill trek. After 1.5
miles you will come to Beech Creek again and
hike alongside the beautiful stream. Near the
falls you should take the first left, follow the straight trail and
then take the next left again. Here, hikers will find the trail marked "High Falls",
and the trail leads downhill to the base of the magnificent 150 foot cascading waterfall. High Falls plummets over a rock face and into a low wading pool where the stream continues on. This area is truly one of the best spots in the Nantahala Wilderness Area, and a special place to visit for a day trip.
 To get to Bull Cove Creek Falls and the spectacular High Falls, NC Waterfalls, take Hwy 64 towards Highlands and Franklin. Near Franklin, take Hwy 441 south for 20 miles to Clayton GA. Turn right onto Hwy 76 west and drive 8 miles to Persimmon Road. Take Persimmon road for 4 miles and turn left on Tallulah River Road, or FR 70. Take Tallulah River Road for 7.5 mile to the Beech Creek Trail, where you will see a parking area on the left. The road takes you through a very scenic area and back over the NC state line near the parking area.
Avery County
North Harper Creek Falls - Chestnut Cove Branch Falls
North Harper Creek Falls and Chestnut Cove
Branch Falls are beautiful Waterfalls in Western NC area,
located in Avery County near Jonas Ridge. This spot is just a short distance from Spruce Pine North Carolina and
is a great, picturesque area to explore for the day. To get to North Harper Creek Falls, you will hike up a 3/4 mile trail
and over a few sections of the beautiful creek.
Because of a few tricky areas, this trail is not
a trail for groups with small children. Expect
to get your feet wet; the water runs high in the
spring and summer. After a moderate hike you will come to North Harper Creek Falls. This is a nice spot to stop and have lunch as there are numerous flat rocks
which are perfect for picnicking. If you continue on, you will eventually come to Chestnutt Cove Branch Falls. Chestnut Cove Branch Falls is a small set of cascading falls that gently flow over scenic rocky spots in the creek.
To get to North Harper Creek Falls take the Blue Ridge Parkway and continue past Milepost 311.3. Turn south onto SR 1518 (Jonas Ridge Road) and drive 1.7 miles and you will see a church on the left. Turn left, or what looks more like going straight, onto a gravel FR 464 and drive 2.5 miles to FR 58 after you see the primitive camping sites. Turn right onto FR 58 and you will drive 1/4 mile before the road becomes very wide. Park on the left; the trail begins at the sign and it well marked.
Elk Falls
 Elk Falls is located near Elk Park in Avery County. Located in part of the Pisgah National Forest's Toecane Ranger District, this popular NC Waterfall and swimming area is very easy to get to. Take 19E to SR 1303 and you will see a sign that points towards the falls. After turning at the sign you will follow Elk River Road for 4 miles to the parking area. The hiking trail for Elk Falls is about 1/4 mile and typically an easy hike. Elk Falls is a 60 foot waterfall with a deep pool that is highly visited in the summer season, so plan your trip wisely.
Transylvania County
Looking Glass Falls – near Brevard
Even though this area is a bit of a drive, Transylvania County is known as the "Land of the Waterfalls" and for good reason. Looking Glass Falls is a highly visited NC Waterfall found in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just a short distance from Spruce Pine. Located off of Hwy 276 north, Looking Glass Falls NC is a
must-see 60-foot waterfall; it is even wheelchair accessible, from the upper view, as it is located right next to the highway. If you only have time for one NC Mountain Waterfall, then Looking Glass Falls should be your pick; swimming is allowed at the pool found at the base.
I hope that you will take a few moments to tour this site to discover all that we have to offer in the wonderful Spruce Pine, NC area. You'll be glad that you did!
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